How To Prepare A Science Fair Project Teachers Guide

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How to Prepare a
Science Fair Project
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AGC/United Learning • 1560 Sherman Ave., Suite 100 • Evanston, IL 60201 • 800-323-9084
How To Prepare A Science Fair Project

Viewing Time: 25:00
Grades-5-9
INTRODUCTION
A science fair provides a unique opportunity for students to en-

gage in a long-term research project and investigation. It will
require the use of the scientific method as well as research and
library skills. In addition, it gives students a chance to develop
their communication skills as they prepare a written report and
oral presentation. Preparing a science fair project requires the
use of many skills that future employers are looking for in em-
ployees. Students need to choose a topic, conduct research, set
up and perform an experiment, collect data, analyze results, write
a research paper, design and build a display, and make an oral
presentation. Here is a project that is fun, challenging and inter-
disciplinary in approach.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
After viewing the video and participating in the accompanying

activities, the students will be able to achieve the following ob-
jectives:
• Describe the seven steps to preparing a successful science fair

project.
• Conduct scientific research and write an original research pa-
per and bibliography.
• Design an original experiment and carry out the experiment
under controlled conditions.
• Identify variables that can affect an experiment and conduct
the experiment in such a way as to test only one variable at a
time.
• Design and build a display.
• Present an oral presentation to a judge.
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SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO
This video is designed to excite students about science fair

projects. It begins by describing the on-going work being done
at a site in the beautiful Smokey Mountains. At this facility sci-
entists are conducting research on the effects of ozone on plant
growth. This experimental site is used to describe the steps and
procedures involved in scientific investigation. The procedures
carried on by the real scientists are compared with the steps in-
volved in students preparing a science project for their school
fair. For purposes of simplicity, the science fair project has been
broken down into seven steps. Each step is discussed and illus-
trated to help students recognize its importance.
INSTRUCTIONAL NOTES
Before presenting this lesson to your students, we suggest that

you preview the video and review this guide and the accompany-
ing blackline master activities in order to familiarize yourself with
their content.
As you review the materials presented in this guide, you may

find it necessary to make some changes, additions, or deletions
to meet the specific needs of your class. We encourage you to do
so, for only by tailoring this program to your class will they ob-
tain the maximum instructional benefits afforded by the materi-
als.
It is also suggested that the video presentation take place before

the entire group under your supervision. The lesson activities
grow out of the context of the video; therefore, the presentation
should be a common experience for all students.
TEACHER PREPARATION
View the video and review the accompanying activities. Dupli-

cate any blackline masters you wish to distribute. If you plan to
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use the Video Quiz, which immediately follows the video pre-
sentation, you may wish to have copies of the quiz ready to dis-
tribute at the completion of the video program.
Kinds of Projects
There are four categories of science projects: models, demon-
strations, collections, and experiments. Each of these has value
but only the last category–experiments–really tests a student’s
ability to emulate a research scientist. The other projects really
do nothing to promote the use of the scientific method. You may
choose to allow students to develop models, demonstrations, or
collections for a science fair; however, we suggest you consider
only allowing experimental projects. The other types are often
nothing more than a sharing of establishing principles and laws.
The experimental project requires students to use methods of re-
search and inquiry similar to those used in the scientific commu-
nity. In addition, the student is challenged to establish a hypoth-
esis, design an experiment, collect data, interpret the data, and
draw conclusions based on that data. An experimental project
will promote research and study skills, creativity, and give a stu-
dent first-hand experience using the experimental process.
The Scientific Method

This is an organized way of thinking about problems. It has
evolved over hundreds of years as man has attempted to develop
a systematic approach to problem solving. There are five parts
to this method:
1. Stating the Problem - A question comes to mind. It is often

established from the observation of nature. Why does something
appear to happen as it does, or what if this were different?
2. Hypothesis - This is an explanation for the established prob-
lem. A student establishes an explanation to be tested.
3. Observation and Experimentation - Observation has led to the
original problem and the student’s hypothesis or explanation for
it. Now an experiment must be designed to test the validity of
the hypothesis.
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4. Interpretation of Data - During the experiment, measurements

and data are collected. The student must evaluate and interpret
these results.
5. Conclusions - Finally, the interpretation of results compared
to the original problem and hypothesis will lead to the establish-
ment of conclusions. The hypothesis is either supported or dis-
proved and conclusions can be drawn.
Safety Codes and Animal Endorsements

It is very important for you to check with the state about safety
codes and endorsements related to the handling of animals and
bacteria. Write to the Department of Education in your state to
request information. Laws have been established to insure the
safety of science fair participants and the animals they may be
studying.
Scheduling
A science fair project is a long-term assignment requiring be-
tween three and four months of preparation. Consider introduc-
ing the fair in October or November and having the actual fair
and judging in January or February.
Develop a method for having participants share their progress

with you. Because this is the first time many students will have
worked on such a long-range project, you should monitor their
progress regularly.
Judges
You might be required to recruit judges for the fair. Each project
should be evaluated by a team of at least two judges. Each team
of judges should be responsible for around seven to ten projects
on the day of the fair.
You’ll want judges who have had experience working with young
people. The fair should be a positive experience for everyone.
Judges must know how to interact with students and reinforce
the good as well as point out areas for improvement. The judges
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should be knowledgeable in the sciences and experimentation.

Seek out teachers, administrators, senior citizens, or parents.
Judging
The judges should use some kind of evaluation form such as the
one supplied in this package. Encourage the judges to include
comments on the evaluation forms. Judges should look for the
following:
• Knowledge of project and topic
• Demonstration and use of scientific process
• Knowledge of scientific principles
• Neat and well organized exhibit
• Creative approach to research and exhibit
• Complete abstract and research paper
• A degree of individual commitment and work
Judges should be realistic and realize that these projects were

developed by kids.
Awards
Awards, such as ribbons or certificates, can be a good motivation
to students and help to recognize their accomplishments and ef-
forts. The awards should not be the sole reason a student partici-
pates. Participation in a science fair should be based on an inter-
est to learn more about a particular topic and a desire to conduct
an experiment using the scientific method.
Consider handing out awards during an evening assembly so that

parents and relatives can attend. The actual judging of the exhib-
its could take place during the day and then a special assembly
could be set up so that visitors can view all the exhibits in the
evening. Presentations can be made and then exhibits could be
dismantled and taken home so that the school facility isn’t over-
run with projects for two weeks. The main purpose here is to
showcase the fair for family and friends and to provide partici-
pants with the recognition they deserve.
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Categories
Science fair projects are usually grouped into categories related
to the field of science they cover. Here is a suggested list of
categories:
Aerospace - the study of the atmosphere and outer space; also
the design of aircraft and the study of air flow.
Behavioral Science - the study of animal behavior, learning, per-
ception, and motivation.
Biochemistry - chemical processes such as digestion, respiration,
and photosynthesis.
Botany - the study of plants.
Chemistry - the study of matter; includes the study of compounds,
gases, analysis of products and atomic theory.
Computer Programming - writing computer programs to carry
out a particular task.
Conservation - study and protection of natural resources.
Earth Science - study of the earth; geology, geography, oceanog-
raphy, and seismology.
Electronics - design of devices that use electrical circuits.
Engineering - design, construction, and operation of buildings
and machinery.
Health Sciences - physical and mental health of man.
Microbiology - study of microorganisms.
Physics - study of motion and energy including sound, heat, and
light.
Zoology - study of animals.
INTRODUCING THE VIDEO
Ask students to think about how scientists do their work. Holly-

wood would have us believe that scientists work alone in creepy
old castles. In reality, scientists work in teams on research projects
that require the use of the scientific method and carefully con-
trolled experiments. The video they will see today will describe
how students can mimic that scientific investigation by partici-
pating in a school science fair.
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BLACKLINE MASTER DESCRIPTIONS
There are eleven Blackline Masters designed to be used as a stu-

dent reference booklet. There are additional blackline masters
intended for teacher use.
• Video Quiz is to be used at the end of the video program. At

the completion of the video, there is a short quiz. The narrator
will read the questions which are displayed on the screen. Stu-
dents can use this sheet to record their answers. Answers to the
questions are provided in the Answer Key, found on page 9.
• There is a Blackline Master cover and ten pages that are in-
tended to be given to each student as a reference booklet for the
entire project. The ten pages are numbered and include the fol
lowing topics:
1. Seven Steps to Prepare a Science Fair Project
2. Stay Organized With A Schedule
3. Getting The Info
4. A Controlled Experiment
5. Recording Observations and Data
6. Graphs and Charts
7. The Abstract and Research Paper
8. The Exhibit or Display
9. Developing a Bibliography
10. Presentation to Judges
• Monitoring Forms can be used to keep track of student

progress. Distribute these forms at various times to see what
progress students are making.
• Ideas for Science Fair Projects lists the titles of some popular
science fair projects.
• The Criteria Sheet could be handed out a few weeks before

the fair to have students conduct a quick self-evaluation.
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• Abstract Form is patterned as a typical abstract form. This

form would be filled out and attached to the front of the research
paper. The abstract contains one paragraph on the Purpose, one
paragraph on the Procedure, and one paragraph on the Conclu-
sion.
• Judges’ Score Sheet could be used by judges during the evalu-

ation of science fair projects.
INTERNET ACTIVITIES
1. Science Fairs Homepage - Project of the Eastern Newfound-

land Science Fairs Council at:
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/~jbarron/scifair.html
2. EduZone Science Fair Tips

http://www.eduzone.com/tips/science.htm
3. Eric
http://ericir.syr.edu/
4. A Science Fair Project Resource Guide: The Internet Public

Library
http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/
D ISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the importance of planning and budgeting time over

the duration of this long range project. For many students, this is
the first time they have worked on a project involving three ma-
jor presentations: research paper, visual display, and oral presen-
tation. Reinforce the need to not wait until the last minute to
work on the project.
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2. Review places to get ideas for the science project. For most
students, choosing a topic is the hardest part of the entire project.
ANSWER KEY
• Video Quiz
1. The control group is set up as a method for comparison. The
control group is set up just as all the other test groups, but will
not be influenced by the variable being tested.
2. Variables are conditions or elements of an experiment. In a
controlled experiment, we want to test only one variable at a time;
so all other factors that could be a variable must be controlled
and kept the same. For instance, in the truss experiment, only the
design or pattern of the truss is being tested, so wood quality,
amount of glue, and size of truss are all kept constant.
3. Soil, seeds would come from the same package, same amount
of water, same amount of light, same amount of heat, same type
of container.
4. The time exposed to x-rays would vary with each test group.
5. There would be a control group which receives no x-rays, other
groups would receive different amounts of x-ray exposure. Each
group would have at least three seeds. After exposure to the x-
ray machine, the seeds would be planted in different containers
and given equal amounts of water, soil, sunlight, and warmth.
6. You need three or more test items for each group because there
may be undetected problems with individual items. If there are
multiple test items in a test group, the individual results can be
averaged for comparison with the control group.
7. A research paper, a display, and an oral presentation are usu-
ally required for science fair participation.
8. An abstract is a single page that provides a quick explanation
or summary of a science fair project. It includes a paragraph
about the purpose, a paragraph about the experiment, and a con-
clusion.
9. You don’t want to read directly from a prepared speech. The
index cards will provide a reference and will help you be more
natural. No one wants to listen to someone read a speech.
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10. A hypothesis is an educated guess of what will be the out-

come of an experiment. It is an explanation of why something
happens the way it does.
SCRIPT OF VIDEO NARRATION

These unusual plastic domes are being used to conduct
experiments in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. The
scientists working at this facility are comparing the effects of
ozone on plant growth. Each dome receives a different amount
of ozone pumped into it during computerized cycles. Every day,
measurements are made and recorded about individual plants in
the domes. Data is then compared and analyzed to determine
how levels of ozone effect the overall growth and performance
of various plant types inside the domes. Everything about the
domes is constant, only the level of ozone present is altered and
carefully controlled. All the plants receive the same amount of
sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. One dome is set up as the
control. It has no hoses releasing ozone gas into its environment.
However, everything else is constant.
When scientists are conducting experiments, they must have

something to use as a basis for comparison. That is the purpose
of a control group. It’s set up just like all the other test groups,
but the control group will not be exposed to the element being
tested. In this case, the scientists want to see if ozone found at
ground level has an adverse or bad effect on plant growth and
development. That is why they have set up so many domes. They
are testing the effect of different amounts of ozone on the plants.
Some domes receive a little ozone gas and some receive a great
deal of ozone gas.
Part of the data being collected has to do with determining the

amount of photosynthesis taking place by the different test plants.
This equipment can measure the level of gas exchange happening
in a plant’s leaves, and therefore, can be used to measure the
amount of photosynthesis, or food production, occurring in plants.
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So these scientists are conducting an on-going investigation of

the effects of ozone gas on plant activity. They will be collecting
data for years before they are ready to share their results. They
are using the scientific method of recognizing a problem to
investigate, conducting preliminary research into the subject area,
establishing a hypothesis to be tested, creating an experiment,
building the necessary equipment, conducting the experiment,
collecting data, and evaluating the data to establish a conclusion
concerning the original problem under investigation. To do this,
the scientists had to find funding for their project and establish a
network of support through grants and corporate sponsorship.
You have an opportunity to see what it is like to work as a scientist

without having to find funding and sponsorship. You can prepare
a science fair project and participate in the same kind of process
that professional scientists have been using for years to advance
our scientific understanding and knowledge. You can use the
same techniques and strategies to conduct your own scientific
investigation.
Many schools have an annual science fair competition. You should

check with your school sponsors to find out what the specific
rules and regulations are for the science fair.
Most fairs will require three things: a research paper, an exhibit

or display, and an oral presentation to judges. The rules may
pertain to the kinds of topics accepted, the length of the research
paper, the amount of space allowed for display, and the time frame
for doing research and conducting experiments.
A science fair project will require organization, commitment, and

personal effort. You can’t wait until the last minute and expect
things to fall into place the night before the fair. You must carefully
plan how the project can be spread out over a series of weeks.
Specific check points, or due dates, must be assigned to keep
things organized. Build in some extra time for unforeseen
problems.
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The first step is to decide on an idea, or topic, for your project.

Ideas can come from many sources. The idea for the ozone
experiment came to a scientist when he observed the damage to
plants along the highways and roads that weave through the
Smokey Mountains.
Give yourself time to consider many alternatives. Often a hobby

will spark an idea. Or discussing possibilities with teachers,
parents, or friends may be helpful. If you are having trouble
deciding on a topic there are places you can go. The library is an
excellent source of ideas. Look through science magazines,
newspapers, or encyclopedias, or ask the librarian to help you
find the section on the bookshelves that contains material on
science fair projects. The Internet is a wealth of ideas. Do a search
with the key words “science fair projects” to find all kinds of
sites with great science fair topics.
Museums and zoos can also be terrific sources for topics. Just
remember that you should choose a topic that is of interest to
you. It should be something you wish to learn more about. And
it should be as specific as possible. Topics such as “Plant Growth”
or “Aerodynamics” are much too broad. You wouldn’t know
where to begin or what you want to accomplish or test. These
could be rewritten to represent more specific ideas. “The Effects
of Different Amounts of Fertilizer on Plant Growth” and “ Which
Paper Airplane Design is Best,” those are specific and clear. A
person could take these topics and know exactly what to do and
where to go with them.
Another problem associated with selecting a topic is that you

must pick something that can realistically be accomplished. A
topic on “Acceleration of Subatomic Particles” or “Life on Other
Worlds” would be beyond your resources, unless, of course, you
have access to a particle accelerator or space probes. Otherwise,
those topics would become nothing more than a report of what
others have found. There would be no opportunity for you to test
a hypothesis through personal experimentation.
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Once you have selected a topic, it’s time to hit the books. This is
the research stage of your project. Use encyclopedias to give
you a general overview of the subject. Then find books,
magazines, newspapers, or Internet sites that contain information
on the topic.
Take notes on 3” by 5” or 5” by 8” cards. Write one idea per card

and be sure to include the name of the source and author for future
reference. These cards will be very helpful when it’s time to
write the research paper.
This brings us to the next step–the purpose of the project. You

identify a topic, conduct research, and then establish a purpose.
The purpose is a statement of what you intend to do. It should
include a hypothesis, which is an educated or scientific guess of
what you believe will happen. In the ozone experiment described
earlier, the hypothesis was that plants exposed to increased
amounts of ozone gas will not grow, develop, and carry on
photosynthesis as normal.
Here’s a project that compares the strength of various roof truss

patterns. Aaron has been interested in architecture for a few
years and may become an architect. This interest led him to
wonder about the roof supports called trusses. There are different
designs for these trusses, so he set out to see which supports the
most weight. Aaron hypothesized that the modified queen post
would be the best.
With the hypothesis established, it is now clear that the task is to

set up and conduct an experiment, or series of experiments, to
test this prediction. The experimentation is designed to provide
evidence either in support of or against the hypothesis. Aaron
had to build a jig so that all truss models would be the same size.
He also had to use wood that was identical.
Aaron made three test trusses for each of the five kinds of trusses
he was testing. The reason for so many test items is that you
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need to run the test multiple times and then average the results.
Once all the truss samples were constructed, it was time to conduct
the actual experiment.
Aaron needed a way to record at which point each truss would

break under pressure. He designed a method of placing a board
across the truss and, by adding pressure on the board, he could
finally break the trusses. He needed someone to help by watching
the scale which was placed in such a way as to record the amount
of pressure exerted on the board. Some of the trusses were so
strong that Aaron needed help applying force to the board.
Make all your measurements in metric units. All countries use

this system for scientific inquiry. The scale Aaron used can record
weight in English or metric units.
Experimentation should be conducted under controlled conditions.

There are many variables that might affect an outcome or behavior.
So you must strive to maintain control over those variables and
conditions. For instance, the same type of wood, taken from the
same production batch, must be used to build each of the test
items for the roof design experiment. The same amount and kind
of glue would be used during construction. During testing, the
conditions must be the same. Each test item would be tested
with the same apparatus and with the same measuring tools and
devices.
It’s important to conduct an experiment more than once, so three

similar trusses were constructed for each trust design. Each truss
was deliberately broken and the amount of pressure was recorded.
Keep track of data and experimental results in a notebook that’s

only used for this experiment. Don’t try to maintain records and
results in your school notebook. It could be disastrous! Think
of this dedicated notebook as a scientific log.
You may wish to organize the data you collect in charts, tables,
15
or graphs. And, in some instances, you will record observations

as phrases or short sentences.
The data collected will either support or disprove your hypothesis.

Remember that a project is not a failure if the hypothesis is rejected
or disproved. Actually, much is gained by this process and often
results from one experiment will lead to a new hypothesis and
new experiments.
When experimentation is complete, results are in, and the

conclusions have been drawn, it is time to write the research paper.
There are eight sections to the paper. The purpose of your research
is identified. People who have helped with the project are
recognized in the acknowledgements. The research of others is
outlined and discussed in section three. The materials for your
investigation are listed. The procedure for setting up and
conducting your experiment are provided in section five. The
data and results of your experiment are shared. Your conclusions,
based on your test results, are presented. And, finally, a reference
section should be included at the end to provide a list of sources
of your research and study. Also, the paper should have a title
page which states the title of your topic and includes your name,
school, and the date. There should also be a table of contents.
Many science fairs ask that participants create an abstract that

will be placed on top of their research paper. The abstract is a
one page summary of your project intended to supply interested
people with an overview of your project, and should include the
purpose, procedure, and results of the project. It is designed so
that someone can learn about your project without reading through
the entire research paper.
One of the most exciting parts of the science project is the

development of the exhibit. It gives you a chance to let your
creativity shine through. You want it to be interesting as well as
functional. Consider including photos, sketches, and other
materials to help portray what you’ve worked on. Let photographs
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help tell your story. Many displays are organized around a self-
standing three-sided arrangement of heavy cardboard or plywood.
These backboards can often be purchased at educational supply
stores or art supply stores. Use the center area for the title, credits,
and photos or drawings. One side of the display can have
statements about the purpose and procedures and the other side
can have results and your conclusions. This type of display sits
on a table which leaves space on the table surface for a display of
materials and equipment.
As judges come around, be prepared to introduce yourself and

your project. Speak clearly and loud enough for all to hear. Smile
and present each judge with a copy of your written report and
abstract.
Don’t memorize a speech, but practice does help. Use index

cards as a reference but maintain eye contact as much as possible.
Don’t write a lot on the cards. No sentences, just quick phrases
which will cue you as to what you want to say next. One card
might simply have the words “title” and “name.” Another card
may contain the names of people who helped you and what they
contributed toward your project.
Tell how you became interested in this topic. Give some

background information about the topic and tell what you found
out from your review of literature. State your purpose and give
credit to those that helped you.
Describe how you conducted your investigation and explain the

results of your experiment. Point to sections of your display and
refer to charts, graphs, and photographs. Let the judges examine
any equipment you have on display. Discuss your conclusions
and any further plans you might have for continuing research on
this topic.
Ask the judges if they have any questions and don’t be afraid to
admit that you don’t know an answer. Thank the judges for their
17
time and any suggestions they have offered to improve your

project.
Don’t do anything that would distract the judges, such as fidget,

shuffle your feet, or chew gum. Instead, stand up straight, make
good eye contact and, speak enthusiastically.
In summary, the seven steps to preparing a science fair project

are: First, select a topic. This should be something you’re
interested in. Talk to teachers, parents, or librarians for ideas.
Look through science books, and magazines, or visit museums
or zoos.
Once you have selected a topic, it’s time to do some research.

Talk to experts and visit the library to find out as much as possible
about your subject. Take notes, and keep things organized on 3”
by 5” or 5” by 8” cards. Put one idea on a card and then record
the source and any other reference information.
After you’re satisfied that the topic you have selected is a good
one, then think about a purpose and hypothesis for your project.
The purpose describes what you will attempt to do. The
hypothesis is an educated guess as to what you think will happen.
The fourth step is to plan and organize your experiment.

Determine the materials you will need and remember to perform
the experiment under controlled conditions. Keep careful records
in a special notebook that is only used for this project.
The fifth step is to write your research paper. This report will
provide interested readers with a comprehensive look at your topic
and research. It includes information collected during your
research as well as a complete description of your experiment,
data, and conclusions.
Next is the exhibit or display. You want to prepare this carefully.

This is an important way to share your project.
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Finally, you should plan how you will explain your project to the
judges. Look neat, speak up and clearly, and don’t fidget or do
other distracting things. In other words, have fun!
The following questions can be answered on the Blackline Master

entitled Video Quiz or on a separate sheet of paper.
1. In most scientific investigations a control group is required.

What is the purpose of the control group?
2. What are variables?
3. If you were doing an experiment to determine the effect of x-
rays on seed germination, what variables would you need to keep
the same for all test groups?
4. In the effects of x-rays on seed germination experiment, what
would be the variable being tested?
5. A dentist might allow you to use his x-ray machine to expose
seeds to different amounts of x-rays. How would you set up the
experiment?
6. Why have three or more test items or subjects in each test
group?
7. What are the three things most science fairs require?
8. What is an abstract and what purpose does it serve?
9. When using index cards for your oral presentation, why is it
a good idea to write single words or short phrases instead of your
entire speech?
10.What is a hypothesis?
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Name _________________
Date __________________
HOW TO PREPARE A SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
How To
Prepare
a
Science
Fair
Project
This booklet belongs to:

©1998 United Learning, Inc.
AGC/United Learning • 1560 Sherman Ave., Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201 • 800-323-9084
2
Name _________________
Date __________________
Stay Organized With a Schedule
This may be the first time you have attempted a long range project, so it is very important to
prepare a schedule and stay organized. Science fair projects often require several weeks for
completion. For that reason, organizational meetings are often set up months before the actual
fair. Don't let a due date that is many weeks away throw your planning off; there are many
things to do. Here is a suggested schedule that provides ample time to complete all phases of
the project:
CHECK OFF WEEK WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING
[ ] 1-2 Identify your topic and establish a

purpose.
[ ] 3-4 Use the library to research your topic.
[ ] 3 -4 Plan experiment and collect supplies.
[ ] 5-6 Conduct your experiment and collect data

and results.
[ ] 7 Analyze results and establish conclusion.
[ ] 8 Write the research paper and abstract.
[ ] 9 - 10 Build your display and practice presenta-

tion for judging.
October
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1
Name _________________
Date __________________
Seven Steps To Prepare a Science Fair Project
1. SELECTING A TOPIC: Choose something you're interested in and something you

want to learn more about. Talk to teachers, parents, or librarians for ideas. A hobby
might lead to a good topic. Don't forget to look through science books, magazines, or
visit museums or zoos for ideas.
2. RESEARCH: After the topic has been selected, start the research process. Encyclope-
dias will provide an overview of your topic, but go beyond that and collect information
from books and magazines. Contact experts or companies that might be able to supply
information. Don't forget to check the internet.
3. PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose is a description of what you will do.
The hypothesis is an educated explanation as to what you think will happen.
4. EXPERIMENT: Plan and organize an experiment. Perform the experiment under con-
trolled conditions. Keep careful records in a specials notebook that is used only for this
paper.
5. RESEARCH PAPER: This report will provide interested readers with a comprehensive
look at your topic and research. It includes information collected during your research as
well as a complete description of your experiment, data, and conclusions. Don't forget the
one page summary called an abstract.
6. EXHIBIT: This is the visual presentation of your project, so prepare it carefully. Use
graphs, charts, and clear bold lettering to highlight this display.
7. JUDGING: Plan how you want to explain your project to the judges. Look neat, speak
clearly, and don't fidget or do other distracting things.

3
Name _________________
Date __________________
Getting The Info
Once you've identified your topic, the next step is to conduct your research. You want to collect
as much information as possible. Begin by getting an overview of your topic. Encyclopedias
contain general information about many topics and are a good starting point. However, they
should be used only to get a general idea. Most libraries have a computerized system that al-
lows you to type in a topic and then it searches its database to identify available books and
magazines on the subject.
When you find a book on your topic, don't feel you have to read the whole thing. Look at the
table of contents and the index for information related to your subject. Check the book's bibli-
ography for other sources you may wish to review.
When collecting information from books and magazines, use index cards. Put only one idea on
a card and be sure to include information for your bibliography. You'll need to list the title of
the article, the name of the magazine or book, the author, the issue, the date, and the publisher.
The Internet can be an excellent resource of ideas and information. (Look at the Bibliography
page in this booklet to see what information you will need when siting an Internet site).
Index Cards
can be very
helpful for
note taking. Title of Article, Name of Magazine, Author,
Issue, and Publisher
Only one idea per card -

that will help you to avoid copying from
the source. You must put things in your
own words unless you use quotation
marks.

5
Name _________________
Date __________________
Recording Observations a nd Data
Use a separate notebook for recording all measurements and observations. Record information
on a daily basis and consider the following things:
• Make sure that accurate metric measurements are given in your data. Give
masses in grams, volumes in milliters, and linear measurements in centimeters.
• It is better to have too much data than not enough so keep a lot of notes.
• When making an observation, write down the date and time.
• Keep track of the materials used, their quantities and cost.
• Consider taking photographs to be used in your research paper or as part of

your display.

6
Name _________________
Date __________________
Graphs and Charts
Your daily log of observations will be the best means for sharing the data and information col-
lected during the experiment. Charts and graphs will provide a fine way to share data in an easy
to read and understand fashion. There are different kinds of charts and graphs. Here are some
examples:
60
50
BAR 40
GRAPH 30
20
10
WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3
70
60
50 LINE
40
30
GRAPH
20
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
DAYS

4
Name _________________
Date __________________
A Controlled Experiment
To conduct a scientific investigation, care must be taken to follow experimental procedures.
You must design an experiment to test your hypothesis. When planning your experiment, re-
member to keep everything the same except for the single variable being tested. A variable is
something that can be changed in the experiment. It is what you are testing. Everything else
must be the same and only one variable or condition is altered or changed. A control group
should be used when conducting an experiment. This group receives the same attention as the
test groups; however, it will not be influenced by the variable the other groups are testing.
Here is an example:
PURPOSE: How the amount of fertilizer used will affect plant growth.
HYPOTHESIS: Increased dosages of fertilizer will cause greater growth in tomato plants.
The test variable will be the amount of fertilizer used. So all other variables and conditions
must stay the same. That means the following:
1. The seeds must all come from the same package and should be randomly
selected.
2. All seeds must be planted in the same sized pots with similar soil.
3. All plants must receive exactly the same amount of water and light.
4. The temperature should be the same for all test plants.
5. More than one plant should be used in each test group.
6. Set one group as the CONTROL GROUP. This group is not given any fertilizer.
7. Set up two other test groups. One receives a certain amount of fertilizer each
week. The other group receives twice as much.

7
Name _________________
Date __________________
The Abstract and Research Paper
It is important to be able to share your project with others. One way to share information is in
written form. Here are some guidelines for writing the abstract and research paper.
1. The abstract is a one-page summary of your work. It should include:

a) a statement of purpose,
b) a brief description of the procedure,
c) a conclusion based on results collected.
2. The research paper should be typed with double spacing. It should include:
a) title page which should include your topic, your name, school's name, grade,
sponsor, city, state, and zip code.
b) table of contents.
c) purpose - This is a statement of what you plan to do. It can include a
hypothesis or educated guess as to what you think the outcome will be.
d) acknowledgements - In this section you can identify people who have
helped you.
e) review of literature - Here you describe the work and findings of others
related to your topic.
f) materials and methods of procedure - Describe the materials you used and
then provide a step-by-step explanation of how you conducted the
experiment. Include drawings or photographs to help clarify your
procedures.
g) results - The outcome of your experiment and the data collected is shared in
graphs, charts or as a daily log of observations.
h) conclusion - In this section you will interpret your findings and results.
Refer back to your purpose and indicate whether or not your findings
support your hypothesis.
i) bibliography - List the books, magazines, pamphlets, or other
communications you used to research your topic.

8
Name _________________
Date __________________
The Exhibit or Display
This is a visual way to communicate to others so take your time and do a good job.
Be sure to check with your teacher or sponsor about the rules for dimensions of the exhibit.
Most exhibits will have three sections and be expected to stand on their own. Displays are often
placed on card tables so there will be limits to their size. Use sturdy material, such as plywood,
masonite, or heavy cardboard, for the backboard. Use hinges or strong tape to hold the three
sections together.
Title
Photos
Photos
Materials

9
Name _________________
Date __________________
Developing a Bibliography
A bibliography is a listing of the resources adn references used during the research of your
project. It should include information about the magazines and books you used. That informa-
tion is organized so that interested readers could seek out and find the books and articles you
refer to.
In the case of a book, you must supply the title of the book, its author, publishing company, the
city where the publishing company is located, and the date the book was published.
For a magazine article you must supply the title of the article, the author, the magazine it ap-
peared in, the date of the magazine issue, the volume of the magazine, and the pages the article
appeared on.
Here is an example of a bibliography:
Bibliography Page Article

Encyclopedia Appears On
Date Published
1. "Gyroscopic Properties," The World Book Encyclopedia, 1988, vol. 8, 477
Magazine Title of Book Volume of Book

Article Title
2. Johnson, Peter H. "Wired For Warmth," (electic soil warmers - plant

propagators), Rodale's Organic Gardening, Jan. 1987, vol. 34, 68
Author Title of Magazine Date Published

Book
3. Math, Irwin. Wires & Watts, New York, Scribner, 1981
Title of Book City Where Publisher
Published

10
Name _________________
Date __________________
Presentation to Judges
This is an important part of your project so take the time to plan and practice the presentation you will
make to the judges. Plan in advance what you want to say but don't memorize your presentation. Write
key phrases or ideas on index cards and use them as a reference but don't depend heavily on them.
Here is an approach you may wish to use for making your oral presentation.
1. Greet the judges and introduce yourself.

2. Give them a copy of your abstract and research paper.
3. Give the title of your project, your grade, school, and sponsor (teacher).
4. Tell how you became interested in this topic.
5. Give some background information about the topic.
6. State the purpose of your investigation.
7. Discuss your review of literature.
8. Describe, in a step-by-step fashion, the procedure you followed for conducting
your investigation. Point to sections of your display and refer to charts, graphs,
and photographs. If you have equipment on display, allow the judges to
examine it.
9. Explain the results of your experiment and be sure to discuss controls and
variables. Remember to keep all measurements in metric units.
10. Identify the conclusions that you could logically draw from the experiment.
11. Discuss any future plans you may have to continue research or experimentation
related to your topic. Include a few statements about any changes you made in
your scientific approach during your early investigation.
12. Ask the judges if they have any questions. Remember, if you don't know an
answer, say so and indicate you will look into it. If judges insist on asking
questions in unrelated areas, redirect the conversation back to your specific
topic.
13. Thank the judges for their time and any suggestions they may have offered to
improve your project.
Good manners, nice clothes, and enthusiasm for what you're doing will help to impress the judges.
Here are some tips:
1. Wear nice clothes.

2. Be polite and practice good manners.
3. Make good eye contact with your judges and be sure to give each judge your
attention. Don't just look at one.
4. Stand up straight and to the side of your exhibit.
5. Speak with enthusiasm, clarity, and assuredness.
6. Don't do anything to distract the judges.
7. Relax, smile and have FUN.
Name _________________
Date __________________
FORM A: TOPIC SELECTION Due Date:
Student's Name
Grade: Category:
Topic Title:
Due Date:
FORM B: HYPOTHESIS
Student's Name
Grade: Category:
Topic Title:
Hypothesis:
Due Date:
FORM C: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Student's Name
Grade: Category:
What books and magazines have you consulted?
List your bibliography:
FORM D: DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENT Due Date:

Student's Name
Grade: Category:
Topic Title:
What materials will your experiment require?
How will you set up the experiment and keep it scientific? (Use the back of this form)

Name _________________
Date __________________
ABSTRACT FORM
STUDENT'S NAME _______________________________________________________
GRADE ______________________ SCHOOL _______________________________
CITY __________________________________
SPONSOR _________________________________
CATEGORY _______________________________
TITLE ____________________________________
( Type the abstract–single spaced–include three paragraphs: Purpose, Procedure, and Conclusion)

IDEAS FOR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS Name _________________
Date __________________
What is the best home insulator? How acids affect metals.
Regeneration in planaria. Which detergent works best.
Colors' effect on heat absorption. Designing a solar engine.
Wing design for balsa planes. Which is better–front or rear wheel drive?
What is the best chemical battery? Does oil stain or oil paint provide better protection?
How can you prevent iron from rusting? Does cigarette smoke affect house plants?
Electroplating. Solar distillation.
Distillation of alcohol. Porosity of soils.
Building a homemade hygrometer. Sugar content of food.
Conductivity of various substances. Effect of light on reproductive growth of paramecia.
Comparison of reaction time. Comparison of blood pressure variation.
Effects of temperature on density. Effects of fertilizer on earthworms.
Effects of ultraviolet light on bacteria. Plant tolerance to salt.
Kite design with respect to aerodynamics. Fat content of margarine.
ph comparison of antacids. What material is best for road construction?
What is the best design for reduced wind drag? How does television viewing affect behavior?
Does color affect memory? Are rats social animals?
What is the best smoke detection system? How are seeds affected by radiation?
Does sound affect plant growth? Suspension bridge design.
Mineral content of drinking water. Flammability testing of household goods.
Probability. Color preference of gerbils.
Percent of body fat. Effects of junk food on mice.
Taste sensitivity of smokers and non-smokers. Paper recycling.
Which bleach works best? Temperature's effect on seed germination.
Testing for nutrients. Which soil type is best for plant growth?
How does lack of sleep affect behavior? Design of a color blindness test.
Design of robotic equipment. Purifying water.
Testing for ESP. Spider web construction.
Earthworm distribution in a field. Comparison of biodegradable detergents.
How different paints hold up to weathering. Airplane wing design for greatest lift.
Social behavior of ants. Does magnetism affect seed germination?
Best nose cone shape for model rockets. Does TV change kids' moods?
Is it possible to learn while sleeping? Optical illusions.
Does temperature affect crystal growth? Search for the best natural filter for ground water.
Making fabrics fire resistant. Desalting water.
Getting the viscosity of a liquid using a sphere. What are the spectra of elements and compounds?

SCIENCE FAIR CRITERIA SHEET Name _________________
Date __________________
Directions: Use this sheet to help you decide wheat areas of your science fair project still need attention. Have
your parents assist in filling out this form. Use the following point scale:
5 well done and complete

4 almost complete
3 needs improvement
2 lacking
1 not done
______ 1. ABSTRACT – 3 parts: purpose, procedure, and conclusion – typed and easy to read.
______ 2. RESEARCH PAPER – title page, table of contents, purpose, acknowledgments, review of litera-
ture, materials and procedures, results, conclusions, bibliography.
______ 3. EXHIBIT – attractive, self-standing with proper dimensions, and clear bold lettering.
______ 4. ORAL PRESENTATI0N – well planned and rehearsed.
______ 5. TOPIC – not too broad or complicated, yet displaying a sufficient degree of difficulty.
______ 6. CREATIVITY – unique design, project has pizzazz!
______ 7. CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT – all factors are kept the same except for the one factor or
variable being tested.
______ 8. VALIDITY OF RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS – measurable results supported by enough

trials.
______ TOTAL POINTS
35- 40 Everything looks great - bring on the fair.

30-34 Some additional time and work required,
35-29 Get cracking; there's work to do and soon.
Below 25 Check with teacher or sponsor immediately.

Name _________________
JUDGES' SCORE SHEET Date __________________
Student's Name _______________________________________________________________
Grade __________________ School _____________________________________________
Category _________________________________________
Title of Project _______________________________________________________________
(circle score next to each category - 10 is highest)
1. Knowledge Gained 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Has the student acquired knowledge doing this project?)
2. Information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Is the information collected through research valid and appropriate to the grade level?)
3. Scientific Approach 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Was a scientific approach and controlled variable used in conducting the experiment?)
4. Collection of Data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Were measurements accurately taken and given in metric units?)
5. Conclusions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Were stated conclusions logical and valid?)
6. Written Work 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Was the abstract present and the research paper organized and complete?)
7. Oral Presentation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Was it well planned and interesting?)
8. Exhibit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Was it visually appealing, neat, and attractive?
9. Effort 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(Was the degree of individual effort demonstrated?)
10. Creativity and Originality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(Does the project show creative approach or thought in design or presentation?)
Comments: ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Outstanding 95-100 Total score _______ Place _______

First 90- 94
Second 80-89
Third 70-79 ___________________ _________________
Honorable Mention - 1-69 ©1998 United Learning, Inc. Judges' Signatures
Name _________________
Date __________________
Video Quiz
Directions: Use this sheet to write your answers to the questions asked at the end of the video. Use the back if
necessary.
1. In most scientific investigations, a control group is required, What is the purpose of the control group?
2. What are variables?
3. If you were doing an experiment to determine the effects of x-rays on seed germination, what variables would
you need to keep the same for all test groups?
4. In the effects of x-rays on the seed germination experiment, what would be the variable being tested?
5. A dentist might allow you to use his x-ray machine to expose the seeds to different amounts of x-rays. How
would you set up the experiment?
6. Why have three or more test items or subjects in each test group?
7. What are the three things most science fairs require of each project?
8. What is an abstract and what purpose does it serve?
9. When using index cards for your oral presentation, why is it a good idea to write single words or short
phrases instead of your entire speech?
10. What is a hypothesis?


How To Prepare A Science Fair Project Teachers Guide

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Published & Distributed by…

How To Prepare A Science Fair Project

A science fair provides a unique opportunity for students to en-

After viewing the video and participating in the accompanying

• Describe the seven steps to preparing a successful science fair

SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO

This video is designed to excite students about science fair

Before presenting this lesson to your students, we suggest that

As you review the materials presented in this guide, you may

It is also suggested that the video presentation take place before

View the video and review the accompanying activities. Dupli-

The Scientific Method

1. Stating the Problem - A question comes to mind. It is often

4. Interpretation of Data - During the experiment, measurements

Safety Codes and Animal Endorsements

Develop a method for having participants share their progress

should be knowledgeable in the sciences and experimentation.

Judges should be realistic and realize that these projects were

Consider handing out awards during an evening assembly so that

INTRODUCING THE VIDEO

Ask students to think about how scientists do their work. Holly-

BLACKLINE MASTER DESCRIPTIONS

There are eleven Blackline Masters designed to be used as a stu-

• Video Quiz is to be used at the end of the video program. At

• Monitoring Forms can be used to keep track of student

• The Criteria Sheet could be handed out a few weeks before

• Abstract Form is patterned as a typical abstract form. This

• Judges’ Score Sheet could be used by judges during the evalu-

1. Science Fairs Homepage - Project of the Eastern Newfound-

2. EduZone Science Fair Tips

4. A Science Fair Project Resource Guide: The Internet Public

1. Discuss the importance of planning and budgeting time over

10. A hypothesis is an educated guess of what will be the out-

SCRIPT OF VIDEO NARRATION

When scientists are conducting experiments, they must have

Part of the data being collected has to do with determining the

So these scientists are conducting an on-going investigation of

You have an opportunity to see what it is like to work as a scientist

Many schools have an annual science fair competition. You should

Most fairs will require three things: a research paper, an exhibit

A science fair project will require organization, commitment, and

The first step is to decide on an idea, or topic, for your project.

Give yourself time to consider many alternatives. Often a hobby

Another problem associated with selecting a topic is that you

Take notes on 3” by 5” or 5” by 8” cards. Write one idea per card

This brings us to the next step–the purpose of the project. You

Here’s a project that compares the strength of various roof truss

With the hypothesis established, it is now clear that the task is to

Aaron needed a way to record at which point each truss would

Make all your measurements in metric units. All countries use

Experimentation should be conducted under controlled conditions.

It’s important to conduct an experiment more than once, so three

Keep track of data and experimental results in a notebook that’s

or graphs. And, in some instances, you will record observations

The data collected will either support or disprove your hypothesis.

When experimentation is complete, results are in, and the

Many science fairs ask that participants create an abstract that

One of the most exciting parts of the science project is the

As judges come around, be prepared to introduce yourself and

Don’t memorize a speech, but practice does help. Use index

GRADE SCHOOL _________

Outstanding 95-100 Total score _ Place _